DEMANDING PROBE INTO SHIREEN ABU AKLEH'S MURDER BY ISRAELI FORCES Fardah

 Jakarta, 19/5/2022 (ANTARA) - The New York Times published Shireen Abu Akleh, Palestinian Journalist, dies, aged 51 article, May 11, on a Palestinian journalist killed by Israeli forces while covering an Israeli military raid in Jenin, West Bank, Palestine.

Other Western media outlets mostly also avoided mentioning Israeli forces that deliberately shot the Al Jazeera reporter in their titles in order to whitewash the Israeli crime against humanity for killing reported on duty.

The brutality of Israel occupying forces against Palestinians is notorious, including by targeting journalists. At least 45 journalists have been killed by Israeli forces since 2000 according to the Palestinian Ministry of Information as quoted by Aljazeera.

In May 2021, an Israeli air raid in the Gaza Strip demolished a tower that hosted several residential apartments and offices, including the bureaus of Al Jazeera and the Associated Press.

The Indonesian Government, the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI), and the Indonesian Ulema (Islamic scholars) Council (MUI) strongly condemned the killing of Abu Akleh.

"Indonesia strongly denounces the murder of Al Jazeera correspondent Shireen Abu Akleh in the (Israel-) occupied West Bank," spokesman of the Foreign Ministry Teuku Faizasyah noted in a press briefing on May 12, 2022.

The Foreign Ministry pressed for an investigation into the shooting.

INDONESIA'S UNSHAKABLE SUPPORT FOR PALESTINE'S QUEST FOR FREEDOM By Fardah

Jakarta, 27/12/2021 (ANTARA) - The question of the possibility of Indonesia establishing diplomatic ties with Israel has again attracted the media spotlight, similar to speculation in Israeli media in December 2020 after several Arab nations agreed to normalize relations with Israel.

Axios (www.axios.com), an American news website, on December 22, 2021, reported that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had raised the possibility of Indonesia normalizing diplomatic relations with Israel during meetings with officials in Jakarta, December 13 and 14.

The report, however, added that Israeli officials had stressed that no such step was imminent.

The US media outlet also wrote that the Biden administration is trying to build on the Trump-era Abraham Accords, and in this case, looking beyond the Middle East to the largest of the countries that do not recognize Israel.

The Abraham Accords refer to agreements between Israel and four Muslim-majority countries -- the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan -- for normalizing relations.

We are always exploring additional opportunities for normalization, but well leave those discussions behind closed doors until the right moment," State Department spokesperson Ned Price told Axios.

The Indonesian Foreign Ministry later confirmed that Blinken did raise the issue during talks with Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi.

The ministry's spokesperson, Teuku Faizasyah, told the media on December 24 that during the meeting, Marsudi "conveyed Indonesia's consistent position towards Palestine that Indonesia will continue, with the Palestinian people, to fight for justice and independence."

This stance is in accordance with the policy of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), who has affirmed that Indonesia will continue to stand with the Palestinian people until the day they gain independence.

Indonesia has consistently supported Palestine's claims, the President said while speaking at the UN General Assembly on September 24, 2020.

The consistent stance against colonialism and occupation is in line with the mandate of Indonesia's 1945 Constitution and its Preamble, which states that colonialism must be abolished in this world, he added.

 

 

 

During a bilateral meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Ibrahim Shtayyeh on the sidelines of the Conference of Parties (COP) 26 World Leaders Summit in Glasgow, Scotland, on November 1, 2021, President Jokowi reaffirmed Indonesia's commitment to supporting Palestine's struggle to become an independent, fully sovereign, and self-determined state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

"Palestine has always been an important concern for Indonesia," the President said, as quoted by the press bureau of the Presidential Secretariat.

Furthermore, the head of state noted that Indonesia has several concerns regarding Palestine.

First, Indonesia is very concerned and condemns the various violations being done by Israel, he said.

Hence, on various occasions, Indonesia has proposed the establishment of an international peacekeeping mission to serve as the international community's "ears" and "eyes" to various incidents occurring in Jerusalem, he explained.

"In addition, the mission aims to ensure the safety of the residents in the occupied territories and maintain its status as a holy city for three religions (Christianity, Islam, and Judaism)," he affirmed.

Second, Indonesia also encourages credible multilateral negotiations, Jokowi said.

"Indonesia is willing to encourage the Middle East Quartet to restart peace negotiations to achieve a two-state solution that can coexist peacefully," he added.

The quartet is a group of nations, international organizations, and the supranational entity of the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, and Russia, which are mediating the peace negotiations between Palestine and Israel.

President Jokowi pledged that Indonesia will continue to support Palestinians' struggle at various international forums, for instance, the meetings of the United Nations (UN), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

Lastly, the Indonesian President urged Palestine to strengthen unity among Palestinians, saying national unity is crucial to the success of their struggle for independence.

In the meantime, Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR), Puan Maharani, affirmed Indonesias support for Palestine's independence and urged all member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to pledge their support to the Palestine cause, too.

The House Speaker delivered the statement during the inauguration of the Parliamentary Network of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Madrid, Spain, in November 2021, on the sidelines of the 143rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly.

"The parliaments of member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) should encourage their respective governments to support Palestine's independence," Maharani said.

NAM countries have jointly sought Palestine's independence since the Bandung Conference in 1955, but the goal has still not been realized, she noted.

"The Bandung Conference principle has mandated NAM countries to support Palestine in their struggle for justice," she added.

Considering the number of member countries (120), NAM has the potential to make a significant contribution to resolving global issues, she said. However, this potential must be interpreted by each member country so it becomes a positive influence and can make a real contribution, she added.

"This requires all of us to be solid and work together in unity," Maharani affirmed.

Recently, an expert on the Middle East at the University of Indonesia (UI), Yon Machmudi, said that the interests of Palestine have become a major consideration for Indonesia in deciding whether to establish diplomatic ties with Israel or not.

This is because the Palestinian cause is part of the main core of Indonesian diplomacy, he added.

"If America and Israel think that normalization (between Indonesia and Israel) is necessary, then it must be balanced with their seriousness in materializing a solution for Palestines independence, Machmudi said.

As long as Palestine is still under the occupation of Israel, establishing diplomatic ties with Israel would trigger domestic political instability in Indonesia, he added.

He said that normalization with Israel must be one package with the independence of Palestine. When Palestine gains its independence, there will be no more reason to deny diplomatic ties with Israel, he added. 

INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE PARAMOUNT TO ENDING ISRAELI AGGRESSION by Fardah

 Jakarta, 18/5/2021 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government has expressed concern over the mounting tensions in occupied Palestine, especially Gaza, where children and women have fallen victims to Israeli airstrikes since the first week of May 2021.

Israeli airstrikes have continued to bomb civilian apartments, refugee camps, and also a tower hosting offices of international media outlets, such as Aljazeera and AP, over the last 10 days while Palestinian Muslims were fasting during the holy month of Ramadan and planning to celebrate Eid al-Fitr to mark the end of Ramadan on May 13, 2021.

The Israeli aggression has claimed 212 lives, including 61 children and 36 women, injured at least 1,305, and displaced some 40 thousand Palestinians in Gaza as of May 17, 2021. In West Bank, 11 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces, while 10 Israelis were also killed in rocket attacks launched by Hamas.

Palestine is currently the only country in the world that is still being colonized. All sufferings endured by the Palestinian people are due to Israel as the occupying power, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi noted in her speech at an emergency meeting of the OIC Executive Committee held virtually on May 16, 2021.

Indonesia reaffirmed its staunch support for the Palestinians' struggle for independence and called for the unity of OIC member countries and various Palestinian elements in the fight against Israeli colonization.

"Justice must prevail for the Palestinian people. I emphasize that Indonesia will continue to support the Palestinian cause," the minister remarked.

Marsudi also urged OIC members to leverage their influence to press for a cease-fire and halt Israeli aggressions against Palestinians at the earliest.

"Together, we have to act now," Marsudi stated before 15 other foreign ministers and deputy ministers of the OIC member countries.

Tensions have been escalating in occupied Palestine following the Israeli courts orders for eviction of six Palestinian families from Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem, which is predominantly Arab, and for Jewish families to move into those homes.

The attempted eviction has prompted strong protests internationally and especially by Palestinians that had congregated in the complex of Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third Islamic holiest site, where they also spent the nights for Lailatul Qadr prayers during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

However, Israeli forces launched tear gas and stun grenades at the Palestinians in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound while attempting to block worshipers from performing prayers in the mosque, where the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had urged Muslims to pray in Al-Aqsa.

Year ender 2020 - Indonesia firm on Palestine question

 Jakarta, 19/12/2020 (ANTARA) - With several Arab nations agreeing to normalize relations with Israel under an agreement that the Trump administration helped broker, Israeli media has speculated that Indonesia could likely follow suit.

However, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi has been quick to assert that Indonesia has no plans to normalize diplomatic ties with Israel.

“Referring to several news reports saying that Indonesia will normalize ties with Israel, and as a follow-up of Mr. President’s directives to the Foreign Minister, I would like to convey (the information) that Indonesia has no intention to open diplomatic relations with Israel,” the minister told the press on December 16, 2020.

Indonesia’s support for the independence of Palestine based on a two-state solution and other agreed upon international parameters will consistently be maintained, she affirmed.

The government’s consistent stance was commended by House Speaker Puan Maharani and deputy chairman of the Peoples’ Consultative Assembly (MPR), Hidayat Nur Wahid.

"As long as Palestine is not independent, Indonesia stands against the Israeli occupation," Maharani noted in a statement issued on December 18, 2020.

Indonesia’s staunch support was strongly reflected during its non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the 2019-2020 period, particularly during its UNSC chairmanship in May, 2019.

The Foreign Ministry had earlier stressed that the government remained committed to ensuring that its membership of the UNSC would facilitate discussions on the Palestinian issue and drum up support for Palestine at the UNSC.

Indonesia’s diplomats at the UN consistently maintained that the Palestinian issue has had an impact on international peace.

As UNSC president, Indonesia initiated an informal discussion "Arria Formula" on Palestine at the UN Headquarters in New York on May 9, 2019.

Global community's growing chorus against Israel's annexation plan by Fardah

Jakarta, July 4, 2020 (ANTARA) - Israel did not proceed with its planned July-1 annexation of parts of West Bank and Jordan Valley, Palestine, amid fierce rejection by the international community, including its closest allies: the Great Britain, Australia, and Germany.

Vociferous oppositions also arose from the European Union (EU), Arab nations, and Asian countries, including Indonesia, which have been appealing to the international community to reject the plan since the start.

Palestine too has unitedly voiced its rejection of the plan. Both Hamas and Fatah have condemned Israel for attempting to grab more Palestinian land.

International organizations, including the UN, the Arab League, and the OIC, have also called on Israel to abandon settlement plans that run counter to the international laws and UN resolutions. Dozens of UN experts were apprehensive that the proposed annexation plan would create a “21st century apartheid”.


Indonesia, a staunch and consistent supporter of Palestine’s struggle for independence, has proactively kept up the pressure against Israel’s annexation plan through various international forums.

Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi sent letters to dozens of governments worldwide to garner support for the rejection of the plan on May 27, 2020.

“I have received positive responses from many countries, including South Africa, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, China, Japan, Russia, Tunisia, Vietnam, Egypt, Jordan, Ireland, and France, as well as from the UN secretary general and the OIC secretary general,” the minister stated in Jakarta on July 2, 2020.

Those countries mostly voiced their support to Indonesia’s initiative to urge the international community to prevent and reject the annexation plan. Moreover, they voiced the need to pursue a two-state solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

A common concern is that the annexation would threaten regional and global stability while also impairing the effective mitigation efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier, Indonesia, along with Tunisia and South Africa, had initiated a ministerial-level meeting of the UN Security Council (UNSC) to deliberate on Israel’s unilateral plan to annex Palestine.

Collective action urged against Israel plan to annex West Bank by Fardah

Jakarta, June 16, 2020 (ANTARA) - With the colonial regime in Israel expanding its territories by occupying more Arab lands, the international community has been urged to prevent Israel’s planned annexation of the West Bank, and help realize the independence of the Palestinian state, based on the borders drawn in 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

 

The call was voiced by the OIC Executive Committee at the conclusion of its Extraordinary Open-Ended Ministerial Meeting, held virtually on June 10, 2020, some 20 days before Israel is scheduled to implement its planned annexation of the West Bank and the Jordan Valley, beginning July 1. 

 

The OIC has called on the international community to take steps against the Israeli occupation and its colonial practices that jeopardize the fundamentals of the rule-based international order, the organization of Muslim majority countries said in a 15-point resolution, which was adopted at the meeting that was also attended by Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi.

The OIC has also asked the international community to take the necessary legal countermeasures, including refraining from dealings with any Israeli government that endorses an annexation agenda, imposing economic and political sanctions on Israel, and boycotting the Israeli colonial system, and illegal Israeli settlements and their products.

 

In addition, the OIC has urged its members to take the necessary political, legal, and economic measures to address the Israeli threat to the occupied Palestinian territory.

The resolution also calls on all states to pressure the Israeli occupation authorities to ensure the release of Palestinian prisoners, especially the sick, the elderly, children, and women, and to protect them from the risk of COVID-19 infection.

 

Indonesia strongly opposes Israeli annexation plan of West Bank by Fardah

Jakarta, May 31, 2020 (ANTARA) - Israel’s lust for more Arab land seems endless. They have occupied and colonized most of Palestinian land and unilaterally claimed Syria’s Golan Height, annexed Jerusalem, and now they plan to annex parts of Jordan Valley and West Bank. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a meeting of Likud’s Knesset faction on May 26 that the annexation of West Bank will begin on July 1 this year.

“We don’t intend to change it.” Netnyahu was quoted by Israeli media Haaretz, adding that “this is an opportunity that can’t be missed.”

Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, has opined that Israel's plan to annex more land from the illegally occupied West Bank will bring a new calamity for Palestinians, similar to their mass exodus in 1948, known as Nakba, which is commemorated on May 15 annually.

To create the State of Israel, Zionist forces attacked major Palestinian cities, destroyed some 530 villages, and killed approximately 13,000 Palestinians in 1948, with more than 750,000 expelled from their homes and becoming refugees.

At present, the refugees and their descendants number more than seven million. Many still languish in refugee camps in neighboring Arab countries, such as Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, waiting to return to their homeland.
Nakba's 72nd anniversary has come at a time when an extreme right-wing government in Israel looks to expand its territory to the Jordan Valley.

"The annexation of Jordan Valley is an attempt to complete the catastrophe (Nakba) of 1948 and to completely liquidate the Palestinian cause," Hanan Ashrawi, prominent politician and thinker, said as reported by Aljazeera.

ISRAELI ILLEGAL SETTLEMENTS POSE HINDRANCE TO PEACE IN PALESTINE

Jumat, 31 Mei 2019 19:20

Daerah : Jakarta

By Fardah Assegaf

Jakarta, 31/5 (Antara) - Palestine's struggle for independence has been at the very core of Indonesia's foreign policy, so the Palestinian cause is omnipresent in all aspects of Indonesian diplomacy.
Indonesia is a non-permanent member of the United Security Council (UNSC) for the 2019-2020 period and currently holds the UNSC chairmanship for the month of May 2019.
Indonesia, the worlds largest Muslim-majority nation, has outlined four priority issues and one special-attention issue during its UNSC membership starting January 1, 2019, and ending on December 31, 2020. The special issue is Palestines fight for freedom from illegal occupation by Israel.
On May 9, 2019, Retno Marsudi presided over a meeting, jointly held by Indonesia, Kuwait, and South Africa, that was attended by Palestines Foreign Affairs Minister Riyad Al-Maliki at the UN Headquarters in New York.
"The continued development of Israeli illegal settlements in Palestinian territories is unacceptable," she emphasized during the informal meeting of the Arria Formula themed "Israeli settlements and settlers: Core of the occupation, protection crisis and obstruction of peace."
The number of illegal Israeli settlements has grown steadily, from 110 thousand in 1993, to 620 thousand in 2017. This rising figure is a major impediment in the path to reaching a peace agreement between Israel and Palestine.

PALESTINE HOPEFUL OF INDONESIA'S UNSC NON-PERMANENT MEMBERSHIP by Fardah

 Jakarta, Oct 31, 2018 (Antara) - Indonesia will officially fill the non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), starting January 1, 2019.

       Indonesia will serve for two years along with other non-permanent members: South Africa, Dominican Republic, Germany, Belgium, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Kuwait, Peru, and Poland, as well as with five permanent members of the UNSC: the United States, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom.

          At the same time, Palestine will chair the Group of 77 developing nations at the UN as of January 2019. As the chair of the G77, Palestine will be able to act more like a full UN member state.

         Palestine gained de facto recognition as a sovereign state after being approved by the UN General Assembly in 2012, upgrading its status as a UN non-member state.

        Being the G77 chair, Palestine's status will be further upgraded, allowing the nation being colonized by Israel to make statements, submit and co-sponsor proposals and amendments, on behalf of the G77 and China, among other things.

         As Indonesia, a staunch supporter of the Palestinian struggle for independence, and Palestine are both holding important positions in the UN, hopes ride high over strengthening international solidarity to end atrocities and crimes against humanity being committed almost daily by the Israeli occupation forces in Palestinian land.  
   During a visit to Jakarta on Oct 14 for participating in the Solidarity Week for Palestine organized by the Indonesian Foreign Ministry, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki expressed optimism that Indonesia's position as a non-permanent member of the UNSC would voice not only the interests of Indonesia but also Palestine.

INDONESIA URGES UN TO PROBE GAZA SLAUGHTER BY ISRAELI FORCES by Fardah

 Jakarta, May 19, 2018 (Antara) - In less than 24 hours on May 14, 2018, 62 Palestinians were killed and more than 2,000 were injured by Israeli forces, on the same day when Israel and the United States celebrated the move of US embassy to Jerusalem.
          The slaughter of Palestinians were condemned worldwide including by  the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, the Security Council, and Indonesia.
          The Government of Indonesia, in a statement on May 15, strongly condemned the excessive use of force and the shootings of Palestinian civilians, who were demonstrating at the Gaza-Israel borders, by Israeli Army.
         "The government and people of Indonesia are saddened and express our deepest condolences against the killing of Palestinian civilians, including children, who were demonstrating at the Gaza-Israel borders," Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
           Indonesia, furthermore, called on the United Nations Security Council to immediately convene in order to take urgent steps and conduct an independent international investigation to hold responsible all perpetrators of such violence.
           The Southeast Asian country also called on the international community to continue the struggle for justice for an independent and sovereign Palestinian nation.
           The Government of Indonesia has also strongly condemned the illegal decision by the US Administration to open its embassy in Jerusalem by calling the move as a violation of a number of resolutions of UN Security Council and UN General Assembly, as well as jeopardizing the peace process in Palestine.

INDONESIA CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO GAZA KILLING BY ISRAELI SNIPERS by Fardah

           Jakarta, April 4, 2018 (Antara) - The Indonesian Government and Parliament have voiced their strong condemnations against Israel for killing 17 Palestinians and injuring over 1,500 others recently, and called for an immediate investigation into the attack.

         "Indonesia has strongly condemned the attack by Israeli soldiers on Palestinian people who were staging a demonstration along the border of Gaza and Israel, which has left dozens of Palestinians dead and hundreds other injured," Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on March 30.

          The people and the Government of Indonesia have expressed their deepest condolences and solidarity to the victims and their families following the Israeli attack.

          Indonesia has underlined that the Israel authority has a responsibility, under the international Human Rights Law, to protect any civilian.

          Moreover, the Indonesian Government has called for an immediate investigation following the use of excessive force by Israeli troops on the demonstrators.

         "The effect of violence and brutality of Israeli force continues to become a threat to the peace process in Palestine and the Middle East," the ministry asserted.

          UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has also called for an independent, transparent investigation into the deadly attack in Gaza.

         Another strong condemnation was also voiced by Indonesian lawmaker Abdul Kharis Almasyihari, who is concurrently the chairman of the Commission I of the House of Representatives.

         "The attacks committed by Israeli soldiers against thousands of Palestinian people, who staged a peaceful protest, are indeed inhuman," Almasyihari noted in a statement on April 1.

        The member of parliament expressed his solidarity and deepest condolences to the families of the victims.

News Focus - INDONESIA UNITES FOR PALESTINE by Fardah

Jakarta, Dec 19, 2017 (Antara) - Rallies against the decision of the US administration to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel have been frequently held in several regions in Indonesia, and the largest one was being the one held in Jakarta on Dec 17, 2017.

            Fully supported by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the Jakarta rally dubbed "Indonesia Unites For Palestine" or #Aksi1712 (#Action1712) wished to become the largest pro-Palestine rally in the world on that day, but similar major rallies, or even larger, were also held in other countries, particularly in Jordan and Pakistan.      
   The pro-Palestine rally was attended by members of many Muslim mass organizations, including Indonesia's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and second largest Muhammadiyah.

         Among prominent figures present in the rally were Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, former sports and youth affairs minister Adhyaksa Dault, noted poet Taufik Islmail, West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan, and politicians like Hidayat Nur Wahid, Fadli Zon and Fachri Hamzah, as well as prominent ulemas like Bachtiar Nasir, Abdullah Gymnastiar and Zaitun Rasmin. 
    A day prior to the rally, Ma'ruf Amin, MUI Chairman, hoped that some two to five million people would join the gathering. On Dec 17, the National Monument (Monas) area was full. But no body came up with an exact number of the participants of the rally. 
    Spokesman of the Jakarta Police Senior Commissioner Argo Yuwono said the number of the rally participants was recorded at 80,000. Head of the Central Jakarta Police Senior Commissioner Roma Hutajulu estimated the number was some 200 thousand.

         Commissioner General Syafruddin, deputy chief of the National Police (Polri) said he expressed appreciation to more than 100 thousand participants who joined the rally peacefully and orderly. General Tito Karnavian, in Nov 2016, said the National Monument (Monas) area could accommodate some 600-700 thousand people.    

JERUSALEM FOREVER BELONGS TO PALESTINE by Fardah

  Jakarta, Dec 16, 2017 (Antara) - Meet Dr Norman Gary Finkelstein, 64, an American political scientist, activist, professor, author, and Jewish.

         His primary fields of research are the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the politics of the Holocaust, an interest motivated by the experiences of his parents who were Jewish Holocaust survivors.

         Finkelstein, who is one of the most courageous Judaics in the world and has been a real thorn in the side of the Zionist machine, has an answer to Christians and Jews who refer to the Bible as their base for their claim over Palestinian land.

         "If I came with a Bible in one hand and came to your home, I knocked on your door and said 'according to my Bible, my family lived where your home is, my family lived there two thousand years ago,' would you pack up your bags and leave?" Finkelstein asked a Zionist Israeli, who claimed that he and his parents just followed the Bible as a guide to claim Palestinian land as their ancestor's land.

    Having been decisively anti-war and an ardent defender of First Amendment rights to free speech, he has called Israel a "lunatic state" and asked, "Why should these Palestinians, who have lived in Jerusalem for hundreds of years, be evicted from their homes so that Jews from Brooklyn can live in them?"
    Jerusalem is the Holy Land for three major religions, namely Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

INDONESIANS HOLD RALLIES TO PROTEST TRUMP'S JERUSALEM DECISION by Fardah

Jakarta, Dec 8, 2017 (Antara) - Joining "the day of rage" called in by various Muslim-majority countries, Muslims in Indonesia held peaceful rallies in several regions, such as in Jakarta, Surabaya (East Java Province), Aceh Darussalam Province, Yogyakarta, Makassar (South Sulawesi Province), Semarang (Central Java Province), and Bengkulu, after performing their Friday prayers on Dec 8, 2017.

           US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and to relocate the US embassy to Al Quds (Jerusalem in Arabic) has triggered condemnations from various parties, including President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), Parliament, and Ulemas in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation.  
   "Indonesia strongly condemns the US' unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and urges it to reconsider the decision," Jokowi told the press at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, on Dec 7, 2017.

          In Istiqlal (Freedom) Grand Mosque in Jakarta, the Friday prayer sermon on Dec 8. was dedicated to the Palestinian people's struggle for independence, particularly to Jerusalem, and called for Muslim solidarity and unity to fight for the liberation of the Holy Land from the colonization of Israel.

          Several hundred people congregated outside the US Embassy in Jakarta during a peaceful rally held as a mark of protest following US President Donald Trump's statement recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

         Bearing the flags of Islamic community organizations and banners reading "Trump is enemy of humanity" and "Jerusalem will never belong to Israel," several hundred people staged a peaceful protest to express their support for the Palestinian people following the US' move on Jerusalem.

             "Trump's decision has violated international laws and could endanger the peace process in Palestine," Agus Sudarmaji, a spokesperson of the Al-Aqsa Working Group, remarked during the rally in front of the US embassy in Jakarta.

           As a leader of a superpower, Trump has lost his mind, Sudarmaji asserted.

INDONESIA CONDEMNS TRUMP'S DECISION ON JERUSALEM by Fardah

 Jakarta, Dec 8, 2017 (Antara) - US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel capital and to relocate the US embassy to Al Quds (Jerusalem in Arabic) has triggered condemnations from various parties, including  the Head of State, Parliament, and Ulemas, in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim population nation.

         President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has voiced Indonesia's strong condemnation of the unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital by the US and has called for a UN meeting to discuss the matter.

        The US should reconsider the decision, as it has violated various resolutions issued by the UN Security Council and General Assembly, Jokowi said at the Bogor Palace, Dec 7.

        "This could disrupt world peace and stability," he stated.

         Jokowi reaffirmed that he and the Indonesian people remain consistent in standing with the Palestinians in the struggle for independence and fulfillment of their rights, which are in line with the Preamble of Indonesia's 1945 Constitution.

         The president said he has urged Foreign Minister Retno L. P. Marsudi to call the US ambassador to Indonesia to convey Indonesia's stance.

         The Indonesian government has communicated with several member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

        "It is clear that the OIC has decided to immediately convene, and I will attend the OIC Assembly," he stated.

          Jokowi noted that the OIC Assembly is planned to be held in Istanbul, Turkey, on Dec 13.

         Minister Marsudi earlier remarked that Indonesia had condemned the announcement made by US President Trump on Jerusalem.

         "We condemn this recognition. Democracy means respecting international laws. Thus, the recognition disrespects various resolutions of the UN Security Council," she pointed out.

INDONESIA OPPOSES CHANGE IN STATUS OF JERUSALEM by Fardah

Jakarta, Dec 6, 2017 (Antara) - A plan by US President Donald Trump to relocate the US embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem has triggered strong objections from a number of countries, including Indonesia, and regional organizations such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

         Opposing the plan, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi stated in Jakarta on Dec 4, 2017, that any move by the US to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital will endanger the peace process in Palestine.

         "Indonesia has clearly expressed its deep concern over the issue. Any change in the status of Jerusalem will jeopardize the peace process and peace itself," Marsudi said.  
    On Dec 3, Marsudi spoke to the US ambassador to Indonesia and conveyed to the envoy that the US leadership must resolve the Palestine issue with discretion.

         However, the US ambassador informed that Trump was yet to take a final decision on this matter.

         On the same day, the Committee of Permanent Representatives of OIC member states held a meeting in Jeddah and issued a final communiqué.

         The communiqué called upon all states to abide by the resolution of international legality on the city of Al-Quds, which is an integral part of the Palestinian territory occupied in 1967, Marsudi remarked.

         "The message of Indonesia is very clear. The message of the OIC is also very clear," Marsudi noted.

         She called on the international community to unite in their efforts to assist the Palestinian people in their endeavor to realize the status of a fully independent country.

         Indonesia is a strong supporter of the two-state solution and creation of an independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital living side-by-side with Israel, Marsudi remarked during the commemoration of International Day of Solidarity with the Palestine People in Jakarta on Nov 30, 2017.

         Ambassador Designate of the State of Palestine to Indonesia, Zuhair al Shun, noted that the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital will be a radical change in its traditional position on the issue of Jerusalem and demanded "immediate and quick action before it is too late."
    "We hope that the peace process will continue and the situation in Jerusalem will be sorted soon within the framework of the two-state solution," al Shun remarked.

PALESTINE ALWAYS AT VERY HEART OF INDONESIAN FOREIGN POLICY by Fardah

Jakarta, Oct 28, 2017 (Antara) - Palestine is the only country in the world that has remained under Israeli occupation since nearly 70 years ago.   
      Having experienced what it means to be colonized by foreign forces, Indonesia, which gained independence on Aug 17, 1945, has always been against colonialism and, therefore, supportive of the Palestinian struggle for independence.

        Indonesia's commitment to help Palestine achieve its freedom through diplomatic means was reiterated by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, while giving a briefing in her office on Oct 26, 2017, on Joko Widodo (Jokowi) administration's achievement in terms of Indonesia's foreign policy.

         "The struggle of Palestine has been at the very heart of Indonesia's foreign policy. In every aspect of Indonesian diplomacy, the Palestinian cause is present," Marsudi affirmed.

         Indonesia's Honorary Consulate in Ramallah was established in 2016 and has become a path for closer relations with the Palestinian people.

        Marsudi had traveled a long way from Jakarta to Amman, Jordan, to induct Maha Alkhus Hussein, who is also known as Maha Abu-Shusheh, as Indonesia's first-ever lady honorary consul to Palestine.

       Peace in Jerusalem has also become Indonesia's concern that it hosted the Fifth Extraordinary OIC Summit on Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Sharif in Jakarta in 2016 and attended the OIC executive committee discussing Jerusalem in Istanbul in August 2017.

        Furthermore, the Indonesian government has provided technical assistance for capacity building and development to the Palestinian people.

INDONESIA STRONGLY CONDEMNS ISRAELI AGGRESSION AT AL AQSA by Fardah

  Jakarta, July 22, 2017 (Antara) - In Indonesia, from the president to it's the people, many have strongly condemned the violence and blatant aggression committed by Israeli forces that killed three Palestinian worshipers and injured more than 100 others around Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound in Al Quds (East Jerusalem) on July 21.

        For Muslims, Al Aqsa belongs to every Muslims in the world, not only Palestinians. Al Aqsa Mosque is Islam's third holiest site after Masjidil Haram in Mecca and Nabawi Mosque in Medina; the first qibla (direction faced while praying); and the second mosque to be ever built on Earth.

        Therefore, the Indonesian Government and people are always concerned over Al Aqsa Mosque, which is in danger due to Israeli occupation and blatant aggression.

        "Indonesia asks the UN, the UN Secretary General (in particular), to allow the UN Security Council to convene a session soon to discuss the Al Aqsa Mosque crisis," President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said in Yogyakarta on July 22.

         The Indonesian government has also demanded Israel not to change the status quo of Al Aqsa compound that guarantees access to Muslims to pray in Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock Mosque.

          "Indonesia once again strongly denounces the restriction of prayers at Al Aqsa Mosque. Likewise, it strongly denounces the death of three citizens," Jokowi said at the Ahmad Dahlan University compound.   
   Indonesia has also urged that the OIC can immediately hold an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Al-Aqsa complex, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry said.   
   Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi, on July 19, had a telephonic conversation with the foreign minister of Jordan to discuss the situation in the Al Aqsa Mosque.      

ISRAELI GRIP ON AL AQSA VIOLATES HUMAN RIGHTS by Fardah

Jakarta, July 19, 2017 (Antara) - Indonesian Muslims are very concerned about the situation in Al Aqsa Mosque, following a recent closure and ongoing stricter control of the third Islamic holiest mosque by occupying Israeli forces.

        Besides, radical Jewish settlers, under the protection of heavily armed Israeli forces, often break into the premises, and the forces often blocked Muslim worshipers from praying, in order to pave the way for the Jews.

     

INDONESIA, PALESTINE EXPLORE CLOSER TRADE, CULTURAL COOPERATION By Fardah

Jakarta, Oct 28 , 2016 (Antara) - Indonesia and Palestine have always shared a strong relationship and forged close cooperation despite the geographical distance between them.

         Palestine was among the first nations to have recognized Indonesia's declaration of independence on August 17, 1945, and Indonesia has been a staunch supporter for Palestine's liberation from the occupation of Israel.

         "As long as Palestine does not gain its independence, Indonesia will keep challenging the Israeli occupation," President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had said in his opening remarks at an extraordinary summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), held in Jakarta on March 7, 2016.

         The president's observation was a direct quote from the response of the country's founding father President Sukarno given to a reporter, who asked him in 1962 as to why Indonesia did not have diplomatic relations with Israel.

         So far, all seven Indonesian presidents have been consistent in supporting Palestine's struggle for independence.

         Such a stance is, in fact, in line with the country's Constitution, UUD1945, which states that Indonesia is against colonialism on Earth.

         Under the Jokowi administration, Indonesia realized its long overdue plan to open an honorary consulate in Ramallah, West Bank, Palestine, in March 2016.

         Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi had traveled a long way from Jakarta to Amman, Jordan, to inaugurate Maha Alkhus Hussein, who is also known as Maha Abu Shusheh, as Indonesia's first-ever lady honorary consul to Palestine, on March 13.

         In October this year, Maha made her visit to Jakarta in her capacity as the honorary consul. She came to Indonesia with a 42-member business delegation.